Signs of Life part 4: Mission Engaged

Contributed by:
Eric Dunaway
small groups pastor

It's crazy how quickly the time flies. Just the other week I shared with my wife how shockingly fast a year goes by anymore. So it really comes as no surprise that it's been almost eight months since I started this series of posts that talk about our value structure at PCC. Well, now is when I make good on the promise of finishing that series.


As you may recall, we refer to these values as the vital signs of LIFE, because we truly believe that these  four pursuits indicate a genuine and growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Since we've both slept a few times since the last post on these signs of life, let me refresh you on the first three.

1. Living a Transformed Life
2. Included in Authentic Community
3. Focused on Ministry Partnership

And now, here's the fourth:

This might be one of the four signs that I'm most passionate about... and ironically, this is the one I've been dreading to write. I'm not really sure why that is. Maybe it's because - while I'm so passionate about this particular thing - I still feel that I haven't even scratched the surface on all that it means for you and I. Hang with me for a moment while I attempt to unpack this for both of us.

Just before He ascended into heaven, Jesus left us with some pretty specific instructions.

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Matt. 28:19 (NLT)

Of course we know that as the Great Commission. And - in fact - it's the mission of which we speak: To make disciples of all nations.... But what does it mean to be engaged in this mission?

I'm actually convinced that many of us approach the whole idea of missions - or outreach - or evangelism  - in such a way that we're merely entertaining the idea. And I don't want anyone to think I'm busting their chops for the efforts they're making, or strides they've taken in this area. But I think the word engage is critical to this vital sign, and I don't want anyone - including myself - to miss this.

ENTERTAIN vs. ENGAGE - what's the difference? Let me try and explain.

When we entertain something, we pause to give it attention. We consider it, perhaps. We may even begin to latch on to the idea, but it rarely goes beyond that point. I wonder how many of us - and I include myself here - are merely entertaining the notion of the Great Commission? I can spout off just a few things that we do at Pathway that are mission focused:

1. Last fall we organized over 1,000 volunteers who worked in two hour shifts to pack over 200,000 meals as part of Feed My Starving Children. We're already planning to do this again in November of this year.
2. This past year we sent several dozen people on various Short Term Missions projects in countries like Cuba, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Serbia, Guatemala, and Mexico. We're planning more trips like this for next year, as well.
3. We collected almost 2,500 pairs of shoes to be distributed locally and abroad to those who lack some of the most basic necessities. 
4. As part of Operation Three Rivers, we mobilized over 400 volunteers into our communities to serve in dozens of local service projects. 
5. We're continually collecting food for those within Pathway who are in need, as well as those within our communities, through Bring the Love and Abundance.  
6. Last year we baptized I don't know how many people... but it was a lot. 

And these just name a few of the initiatives that we have integrated into the body at PCC for the purpose of engaging the mission as the hands and feet of Jesus. And one thing we've noticed about the body at PCC is how well we respond to these things. When our pastor stands up and challenges us to bring in coats for a coat drive, we collect over 600 coats! When we're challenged with a need for 500 volunteers to pack meals, we end up with 1,000! And that's worth celebrating as a body!

I just wonder how many of us jump into these things because we're truly engaged in this mission to which we've been called... or how many of us are entertaining these initiatives because it makes us feel better, and allows us to check it off the "spiritual to-do list."

We tend to look at "missions work" as a sort of pinacle of Christian service - and I would even say that it is a field of ministry for which I have a deep passion, and hold a tremendous amount of respect for those who've been called to such service. As one who's participated in several Short Term Missions experiences, however, I can tell you that there are always those who go for a number of wrong reasons. It could be that they love to travel, and this provides an opportunity to see a new part of the world. Or it could be that they enjoy the spiritual prestige of being part of such an experience. Maybe they're looking for the next "mountain top" experience, or are trying to connect with new friends. It could simply be that someone is wanting their eyes to be opened to what God is doing around the world, and to have their lives deeply impacted by it. That actually sounds pretty good. But if you dig down to the heart of each of those statements, it's really centered around the individual. It's less about the mission and more about the experience, if that makes sense. And please don't get me wrong - I love Short Term Missions, and I will continue to participate in these opportunities because I've seen how God moves in spite of our wrong motives. But if some of us are really honest with ourselves, we'll see that many times our efforts in engaging the mission - whether it's through Short Term Missions, a food drive, or community service - are really just our best attempt to entertain the mission. 

When we're engaged in anything, on the other hand, our hearts are captured. We're devoted at a deep emotional level that compels us to jump in head-first, no matter the risk. Engagement means we're pledged - or attached - to something. There's a connection that goes beyond our self-awareness, and reaches into the depth of our passion. That's where we find our motivation to give, or to go, or to reach out to those around us with the message of Jesus Christ. And we do this not because of what we can gain, but because of what we have to give.

The mission we've been given - the Great Commission - is to make disciples of all nations.... it's not about us. And while there's always a tremendous amount of growth that comes through obedience, the Great Commission is not about providing an experience for us... it's about reaching out and giving of ourselves. It may cost us way more than we'll gain, from a material or experiential standpoint. But that's okay. That's not the point. The gain is in the Kingdom - not in our portfolio. 

When we're engaged in the mission, we don't care so much about the cost or the "kudos." When we're engaged in the mission, sacrifice is synonymous with satisfied. When we're engaged in the mission, we respond more to the nudging of the Holy Spirit than the passionate pleas from our church leaders. When we're engaged in the mission we're concerned more about the Kingdom than our insecurities. 

We believe that a true vital sign of life is when we see people engaging the mission as the hands and feet of Jesus to their neighbors next door, around the corner, and across the sea. 

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8 (NIV)

We've designed the icon for this vital sign to reflect that very thing. The dot - or circle - in the middle represents the Christ-follower. The rings that extend outward represent the three "regions" Jesus mentions in this passage. The closest ring is Jerusalem, which is their immediate context. For us, we would say Fort Wayne. The second ring would represent their Judea and Samaria - for us, we would say Indiana and the U.S.. Finally, the third ring represents the "ends of the earth."

There's so much more that could be written about this vital sign. But this is where I'll end it for now. If you have other comments, we'd love to hear it! Please post a comment so we can all benefit!